ANKARA (FIBA World Championship for Women) - Canada are celebrating a place in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA World Championship for Women for the first time in 20 years after sealing a vibrant 91-71 win against Czech Republic.

Canada were always on the front foot against their European opponents and with six different scorers in an impressive 22-13 opening quarter, the confidence flowed.

Their superior energy levels and aggression proved particularly potent and it was FIBA World Championship debutante Nirra Fields who truly got Canada flying late in the second period.

The guard had eight points in quick succession in an impressive burst of scoring that was sparked by a beautiful three-point play and then wrapped up with a three-pointer, despite having a Czech hand right in her face.

We really brought the intensity for all four quarters. - Fields

It's amazing to now go to the last eight of the tournament and I am so excited to see the way that we are improving together as a team.

"Now I can't wait to see how we perform and the team responds in this last stage."

The sterling work of Fields had allowed Canada to head to the locker room 44-32 in front.

They then managed to extend their advantage when the action resumed as Kim Gaucher nailed a three-pointer to extend their lead to 17 points.

Eva Viteckova did her best to launch a salvage mission for the Czechs and she briefly helped reduce the arrears to single figures, but it was to be in vain.

Canada made a string of plays during the last 10 minutes to ice a memorable triumph and one which now takes them to Istanbul.

FIBA